Almost every client we speak with right now is in the midst of creating, evaluating or focusing on scenarios to describe the path forward when limitations are lifted post-pandemic. Without knowing specific dates, details about anticipated economic recovery or ongoing health-related behavioral guidelines, we’re hearing from campus administrators who are stymied. We’ve been advising that…Read more
Tag: Enrollment Management
Five Assurance Messages to Help Secure Your Class
I’ve made fun of how many emails and spot ads begin with “in these unprecedented/uncertain/challenging times,” and I’m fairly tired of hearing that expression. It’s time to move on to what’s next. Assuring your customers at this critical moment will help everyone do so. At this time of year, even when you’re not facing challenges…Read more
The Next Best Thing
I’m guessing you don’t need one more person telling you how to manage through the COVID-19 pandemic or the economic downturn. I’m also guessing you’re close to your wit’s end wondering exactly what to do right now. The unknowns may be keeping you up at night. The knowns may be upsetting your stomach. My inbox…Read more
Commencement in the Time of Pandemic
There’s been a lot of discussion about postponing commencements ceremonies or moving them online during the current pandemic. The need for rites of passage is a real one, one all humans have. And, really, our campuses need them, too. The need for communal activities marking important moments doesn’t stop even when we have to remain separated. We might even need them more than ever.
Four Tests You’re Taking Right Now
Talk about tests seems to be overtaking our conversations: the availability of COVID-19 tests, the time it takes to read them, the delivery options (drive-thru!) and the accuracy of the results. In higher ed, we’re talking about the value of standardized testing, the delay of testing and the consideration of optional submission of scores for…Read more
Looking Back to Move Forward
You may remember academic year 2008-09. If you worked in higher education then, you may recall that enrollment was gaining ground, money seemed abundant, recruitment and capital campaigns were robust, life was pretty good on campus. We were listening to concerns about a housing bubble bursting and watched banks begin to crumble. The more we…Read more
Reality Gone Virtual: Shifting Campus Events in Uncertain Times
As fears of coronavirus dominate the news cycle, universities across the country are forced to contend with many questions on how to operate in the face of a major public health event. Schools are opting to hold classes online, cancel activities, and otherwise limit large gatherings. But at the same time, those of us in…Read more
Texting in Admissions with Technolutions Slate
If you’ve been in the world of enrollment management for more than, well, about five minutes, you’re probably aware that texting is a key communications platform for prospective students. It’s also the channel that universities tend to be the least-confident about using for engagement, as enrollment and marketing teams try to determine how and when…Read more
Unpacking the Campus Visit (Part I)
A few things you should know before you read this: I began my career in enrollment management as a visit and event coordinator. Those events were critical to the success of our efforts and I was put in charge because I’m…let’s just say details matter to me. A lot. I’m observant and I’ve learned over…Read more
Bringing Clarity to Higher Education Brand Architecture
During presentations about brand architecture, I often pose a couple of questions to attendees. How many aspire for their institution to be a branded house (leveraging a single master brand or parent brand across an entire organization and the organization’s multiple offerings)? Nearly every hand goes up. Next, how many of their institutions actually operate…Read more